BROOK EXCELS IN CLASSIC

Mon 07 May 2018

The 6th May 2018 will always be the day that we remember a 66/1 shot winning the 1000 Guineas on a glorious spring afternoon at Newmarket. The sun was shining and the ground had been firming up all week. With a very impressive winner of the 2000 Guineas in the shape of Saxon Warrior, Richard and the team headed to the Fillies equivalent with three chances. The shortest of those being ANNA NERIUM who had previously won the Listed Free handicap in very impressive style. BILLESDON BROOK was left as complete outsider and disregarded in the betting after what was a pleasing first run in the Nell Gwyn. The runners took the preliminaries very well and everything was shaping up nicely in what looked a very competitive race on paper. Form lines coming in from all the trials and from Fillies that had won at the top level last year. She was nicely away from the gates and Sean managed to settle her in a lovely spot in behind midfield. The daughter of Champs Elysees was having her 10th racecourse appearance having won a Group 3 at Goodwood only 8 months earlier. She came with a devastating run coming down into the dip and powered home up the hill to win with plenty in hand. There was no doubt in anyone’s eyes that she wasn't going to get caught once she made her run. ‘It’s just incredible what she has done. She has always been a smart filly and we took a big chance coming here today. The French Guineas was another option but there is only one English Guineas. She was very impressive in the last furlong as she really appreciated that trip. I was thinking that back in the days of Night Of Thunder and Sky Lantern they both got beat in their respective trials and managed to bag a classic. We will need to come up with a plan now, obviously Ireland and Ascot are very high on the list. I couldn’t be happier for Jeanette and the partners who have all spent many years working towards this moment. The mare has been fantastic so far producing two black type fillies with her first two foals. It’s great for her to run in Bob McCreery’s honour and to show the legacy that he built up through countless hours of breeding horses. Sean has been an integral part of the team for many years and deserves his chances. I am delighted he could win his first Classic for us.'


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